/ Bike seats and ED

Been reading a bit, does anyone riding below 3 hours a week get it? Should I not care if I keep cycling to less than three hours? I notice one of the quotes below say there's a link between time on bike and ED - but it doesn't mention a lower limit.

Will 10 10minute rides a week put me much at risk?

Ahhh so many questions. I can only think of one way to test if there's a problem...It will make for an interesting diary.

I'll go get my bike fitted, still, am thinking about the noseless saddles. And padding the top tube...I've nutted myself more than a few times on that, stands to reason it's damaging!

Then there's the whole getting solid cardio will reduce risk of impotency, so a bit of cycling may net you better off! Even if the seat doesn't.

Yeah...I been thinking a lot about this. It's a scary notion to not be able to get it up.

Here's some various quotes from googling...

[1] This does not mean that people should stop cycling, Dr. Schrader said. And those who ride bikes rarely or for short periods need not worry.

[1] Researchers have estimated that 5 percent of men who ride bikes intensively have developed severe to moderate erectile dysfunction as a result...some experts believe that the numbers may be much higher...

[2] ...damage may become permanent if the tissues are continually damaged and not allowed to recover...

[2] ... nearly every cyclist who experiences erectile dysfunction or impotence will have symptoms before the problem becomes serious. Reduced blood flow to the perineum causes pain, numbness or tingling in the perineum long before men develop ED...

[3] "I don't think you can be a competitive rider and be protected from erectile dysfunction," says Goldstein.

[3] John M. Martinez, MD..."I wouldn't tell anyone to give up cycling because of fear of ED. If there is ED from cycling, it's almost always temporary and reversible..."

[3] One study in Germany found that oxygen levels in blood flow to the penis dropped by only about 20% when riders were on a no-nose seat. A traditional bicycle saddle reduces oxygen in blood flow by around 80%

[4] "Men should never ride bicycles. Riding should be banned and outlawed. It is the most irrational form of exercise I could ever bring to discussion." So says Dr Irwin Goldstein.

[4] ... demonstrated that when compared to
the general male population, cyclists were half as likely to suffer severe
impotence and 1/3 as likely to suffer any form of impotence. The conclusion he drew from the study is that cycling may not be as beneficial as swimming at mitigating or eliminating impotence. Also he concluded, at a minimum cycling does not expose riders to a higher risk of impotence...

[5] Research suggests that riding a bike for long periods can cause temporary erectile difficulties, explains "What to Do about Erectile Dysfunction," a new report from Harvard Medical School. The risk appears highest among men who cycle more than three hours a week.

[6] penile blood supply decreased significantly in 70% of the 40 cyclists who participated in the study...19% of the cyclists who rode their bikes more than 250 miles per week complained of erectile dysfunction.

[6] In a study of 463 cyclists competing in a long-distance cycling event (200 miles), perineal numbness during the ride was experienced by 31% of the cyclists and was associated with erectile dysfunction...

[6] 35 studies conducted...prevalence of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction in bicyclists was 4.2%, and that riding more than three hours per week was a risk factor for developing this condition.

[7] ...male cyclists riding in a 540-km race had a 13% incidence of difficulties with erectile function after completing the race.

[7] ...1,000 men in a bicycle riding club, 4.21% of whom experienced ED,
c o m p a red with 1.12% of the control population of male runners who experienced ED with no exposure to bicycle riding. It was also noted that bicycle-riding exposure (hours per week, miles per week, lifetime hours,
or lifetime miles) was directly correlated with the number of urologic complaints, including ED...

I think you are worrying too much... Get your bike fitted, and get a saddle that doesn't make you numb (it may take a while to get this exactly right)

The number of Pros who ride >30,000 miles a year and the number having kiddies would suggest this wasn't a massive issue.

I have certainly experienced numbness in the past (I have now adjusted my saddle and no longer have this problem even on 7hr+ rides) but this has been relieved by standing up/shifting weight around, and certainly hasn't caused any problems getting it up.

Yes, in the same way if you sit on your foot it goes numb. It can be resolved by standing up and a little "re-adjustment of ones self". Some saddles suit some people... the one that came on my road bike didn't so I switched it and I now don't get these problems

I find this quite interesting, so riding to/from work sounds like it does my function good!...

"A key finding of the MMAS was the relationship between moderate cycling ( hours per week) or sport cycling (>=3 hours per week) and the development of ED. The 3-hour period was selected because it reflects a typical amount of exposure for stationary riders going to a gym as well as for commuters who ride about 15 minutes each way to work every day. Analysis of the data showed that individuals who cycle at least 3 hours per week have an odds ratio for developing moderate or complete ED of 1.72. (Odds ratios >1.5 are defined as health risks.) That is, at least 3 hours of cycling per week was more likely to caused artery blockage and long-term damage. More significant, however, was the finding that men who bicycle less than 3 hours per week or who ride only occasionally have an odds ratio of 0.61 for developing moderate or complete ED. This indicates that moderate exercise in the form of bicycling can, in fact, prevent ED."

Just quickly, the last research conclusion I saw, which was earlier this year - and no, I can't remember where it was - was that any numbness after a long cycle ride was only temporary and the chance of developing ED as a result of cycling was pretty remote.

If you get any numbness after riding, then change your saddle/riding position until you don't get it anymore.

I'd be interested to see how it stacks up between road cycling and time trialling. I generally get on well with my saddle, except when I stay in the same position for a long time (like when time trialling), when I can get some numbness. It disappears almost immediately if I stand up, sit up, slide forward or backward on he saddle, or generally change position. Just feels a bit like when you wake up lying on your arm and it's gone to sleep.

In reply to needvert:
I have not read all the above replies and got bored half way through your original post. Having said that im interested because I think you have a point. (sorry)

When I was younger I had the numbness from riding on road and mountain bike. Cant be sure, but probably walked around with a Hard On for most of my teens years, not linking the two just thinking that's what you did.

After years lay off cycling I've retuned to the same saddle to find the numbness back and resulting Hard On, eek im now classed as a 45 year old pervert.

So I went out and purchased a specialised saddle with the channel and bingo no more Bonna.

the nearest i get to numbness is a cold and slightly shrunken cock for maybe 15 mins after riding hard, but i get this with any form of intense cardio its simply down to your body prioritising oxygenated blood to the muscles being used

In reply to needvert:
I've never had ED, but it once went so numb I didn't know that I had an 'E', and pissing was weird (as mentioned above). Haven't taken the road bike out much since because that scared me somewhat. I'm following this thread now to see if anyone comes up with any saddle recommendations that might get me back on the road bike!